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Four years ago From The Register No. 22 -- four years back It sounds like a venue The Beatles played at in the 60s, but as it's based in Austin, Texas, we expect it's not quite as much fun. From here, the vice president of applications solutions products, Terry Smith, embarked on an epic journey which makes Easy Rider look like a wet day at Alexandra Palace. Mr Smith drove (presumably at brake neck speed) from Austin to Houston in a mercy mission which makes the ride from Aix to Ghent look a little like a wet day at Kempton Park. With a 100MHz Am486 processor, hewn from one of the first 8-inch wafers, as his pillion passenger, Smith screamed up to Compaq's Houston HQ and in a gesture gave Pfeiffer not only the chip but the bike too. "I'm privileged to travel the 160 miles to personally deliver our most advanced 486 microprocessor...to one of our most strategic customers," gasped an enervated Smith. Pfeiffer was unavailable for comment but the VP of corporate engineering at Compaq, one Jim Paschal, spoke for the leader. "This indicates the level of commitment they have to serving their key customers," Paschal said. The bike (and the chip?) will be auctioned at a charity event on October 14 with the proceeds going to Variety Clubs International. ®